Microsoft has surpassed Google to become the world’s third most valuable company

According to a CNBC report, Microsoft has officially surpassed Google to become the world’s third most valuable company, achieving a market cap of $749 billion compared to Alphabet’s (Google’s parent company) $739 billion cap.

To be clear, this is almost certainly not going to be a permanent change. The two companies have traded market positions for years, and there’s no reason to believe Google won’t retake their advantage in the future. However, it’s a clear indication that Microsoft is doing something right.

Microsoft’s growth surge under CEO Satya Nadella is likely due to the company’s recent emphasis on cloud computing with Microsoft Azure, their focus on the Windows Mixed Reality platform, and their interest in artificial intelligence. Put in other words, a less Windows-focused Microsoft is a more diversified and valuable Microsoft.